tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22267646383786017782018-02-13T14:19:39.857-08:00my beautiful crownAmiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-19081981888210631252018-02-02T13:02:00.001-08:002018-02-02T13:02:27.194-08:00FREEDOM<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who the Son sets free is free indeed!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That doesn't mean that your enemy will shut his mouth, but that does mean it doesn't matter what he says!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can I get a hallelujah?!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been thinking so much about this lately. Everyone goes through battles: emotional, physical, mental, etc. There's no new battle for anyone, ever, in the history of the world. The devil's the same jerk he's always been, pulling the same stunts he's always pulled. I'm so glad the Bible tells us that we have the victory through Jesus, we're more than over-comers, greater is He that's in us &amp; no weapon formed against us will prosper! Praise God!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know that walking in victory doesn't mean your enemy will stop trying to talk to you about the battle? The devil will try to convince you that the battle is still raging, but did you also know that he's the father of lies?!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because the enemy tries to come back at you with something you've been set free from in the past doesn't mean you're back in that trench, it just means your enemy needs to be reminded that who the Son sets free is free indeed. Remember he's a deceiver, he's going to try &amp; tell you that it's back. Right then &amp; there it's your choice who you're going to believe - the devil who's lying to you &amp; telling you that the battle is back, or Jesus Christ who not only defeated satan &amp; took the keys from him, but who set you free to walk in abundant life &amp; Who told you that no weapon formed against you will prosper? Which one will you believe...because you'll have the fruit of that decision.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you wait to rejoice in your victory until the devil leaves you alone, sweet loved one, you will never get the opportunity to rejoice. You need to answer those wrong thoughts, words, symptoms, &amp; emotions that are trying to tell you that you didn't win &amp; you're back in the battle. Authority has been given to you &amp; now must be taken by you! Any gift you ever get is of no good to you unless you apply it to it's purpose. God has gifted us authority, now apply it! Speak the Word, pray, repent, forgive, answer, &amp; declare &amp; rejoice in the victory that belongs to you!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regardless of what you feel like right now, begin to do an act of faith over your situation... rejoice, sing, dance &amp; watch God come into it. The step of faith might not always feel good or even real to your 5 physical senses, but the result of it will be power-packed!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Galatians 5:1 -&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white;">For&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29147A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-29147A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">freedom Christ has&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29147B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-29147B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">set us free;&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29147C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-29147C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29147D" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-29147D&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference D&quot;&gt;D&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">a yoke of&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-29147E" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-29147E&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference E&quot;&gt;E&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">slavery.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Amie&nbsp;</span>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-63251380092851981362018-01-05T10:10:00.003-08:002018-01-05T10:11:37.527-08:00- the eye is single - <i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">- the eye is single -&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">Huh? What's that even mean?&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">My husband preached a message in youth like a week ago &amp; it's still rolling around in my spirit. He was talking on Matthew 6 &amp; the eye being the lamp of the body. It was pretty memorable when he held two phones up to his eyeballs &amp; walked around with the flashlights on. LOL!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">It made an impression on me, because the light didn't illuminate the entire room, it only illuminated what he turned his eyes towards.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">If you go up a bit in the same chapter it talks about your treasure &amp; your heart. You focus on what you treasure &amp; soon after your heart follows where you've been focusing.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">A lot of times I think people feel bad about themselves because they aren't "as spiritual as they should be." (Bonus Tip: Comparison is not the correct measuring tool of spirituality. Look to others as examples to follow &amp; to be inspired, but look to God to be your judge &amp; standard. He's much better at it then your insecure, renewed mind will ever be &amp; don't forget, good leadership helps too).</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">Anyways, back to the topic. It's okay to be convicted about not living on the level you should, but it's also an easy fix. The eye is single, remember? Change your focus, change your life. Yes, it's that simple, it's just not that quick.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">Your eye is single, meaning your lamp can only focus on one thing at a time. If you're shining your light on the things of this world then you won't be able to maintain your focus/passion/determination &amp; eventually your heart for the things of God. If you hear right, that can be so freeing! You can stop condemning yourself for "being a bad person" &amp; realize you just weren't focused on the right thing.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">There are things everyday fighting for your focus, why? If they can get your focus, they can eventually get your heart. Listen, we've got to step up &amp; take responsibility for our eyes. It's our job to control where we look, but don't let that add pressure because His yoke is easy &amp; His burden is light. You can't do it out of your own strength, but that's why we have the Holy Spirit who is our Helper! Do your part to keep your eyes on God &amp; watch His light yoke begin to unfold in your life. You'll be amazed at the ease of walking with Him... of walking in His light... &amp; walking in the abundant life that He has for you!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">Happy 2018 y'all!!</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;trebuchet ms&quot; , sans-serif;">-Amie</span></i>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-16400610742258951912017-10-12T13:22:00.000-07:002017-10-12T13:43:38.904-07:00encouragement<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="77oos" data-offset-key="a43oh-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="a43oh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="a43oh-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Dear Christian, may I offer you some encouragement today?</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="a43oh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="a43oh-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You have the victory. Not because your body feels better or your bank account looks fuller or your marriage has become happier, but because God has said so in His Word &amp; it's available for you to appropriate. </span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="77oos" data-offset-key="4f4f9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4f4f9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="4f4f9-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The devil is defeated. He has no authority over you. In fact you've been given the authority to tread on him. </span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="77oos" data-offset-key="bfonr-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bfonr-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="bfonr-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Understand, he has already been defeated. The only thing he has left is to talk a big game...that he has no actual ability to back up.</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="77oos" data-offset-key="2vo18-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2vo18-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="2vo18-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">This is why it is SO VITAL to know what the Word of God says. It's what we stand on &amp; what we answer the devil's lies with. It's not about our power or outlasting the attack, it's about what Jesus did &amp; what He has given us - that's what we declare over our situations, our bodies, our families, our finances, our marriages....</span></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="77oos" data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Simply put, the devil wants to sway you off what you believe. It's your job to stand on what the Word of God tells you is true &amp; keep your mind renewed to it. As Dr Hagin used to say, "Your mind doesn't stay renewed anymore than your hair stays combed." It's a daily thing, a lifestyle, a commitment, a discipline &amp; it's victory. Life never stops, so you can't afford to stop either. It's not a waiting game friends. You cannot wait until the day you feel better, till the devil decides to leave you alone or until someone comes along who will do it for you. It's you, it's IN YOU...HE IS IN YOU &amp; He has given you everything you need pertaining to life &amp; Godliness. No one else can take the steps you need to take to get where you need to go. </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Today, right now, take courage! </span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">-Amie</span></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="12sg1-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><br /></div></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-28142595161641546592017-09-21T14:53:00.000-07:002017-09-21T14:53:05.667-07:00no longer slavesI'm learning more &amp; more that life tries to dictate, but it's not a very nice dictator. It pushes &amp; demands &amp; pulls from you. Every once in a while it'll throw a crumb your way, but then demand it of you hours later. How do people live like that? No wonder people get worn out with a taskmaster like life!<br /><br />It reminds me of the children of Israel when they lived in Egypt.<br /><br />It was never God's best for them to be slaves. You'd think that would be obvious, but how many of us are slaves to life? That's not God's best for us either!<br /><br />When Israel was in Egypt, they were busy building another man's kingdom, but when they got free &amp; FINALLY got to the promise land where they belonged, they started taking hold of the lands God had for them!<br /><br />If you let life dictate to you it will always try to suck you dry, but if you let God tell you what to do, who to marry, how to invest, what to say, what to think, how to act, where to go to church, where to work... HE WILL ONLY ADD TO YOU. You might have to fight some giants (in fact, you WILL), but greater is He that's in us than he that's in the world.<br /><br />I'm not one of those "nothing-bad-will-ever-happen-to-you-Christians," but I am one of those "NO-MATTER-WHAT-HAPPENS-YOU'RE-MORE-THAN-A-CONQUEROR-CHRISTIANS!"<br /><br />&amp; God's Word &amp; prayer is how you get there.<br /><br />His Word is a lamp to our feet &amp; a light to our path. When it's alive inside of us, it's like a well that we can draw from in every situation. It builds our faith &amp; TEACHES US WHAT'S TRUE! <br /><br />When you're at work, or driving in your car, out to eat, shopping, at soccer practice, the vet, etc...PRAYER KEEPS YOU PREPARED. Prayer keeps your heart sensitive to God's voice because it's like a phone line between you &amp; Him. He's talking to you &amp; you're talking to Him.<br /><br />So when life is good &amp; fun &amp; busy, you're full &amp; you've got a direct line.<br /><br />&amp; if life gets crazy &amp; hard &amp; busy, you're full &amp; you've got a direct line.<br /><br />God has called you to overcome &amp; live victorious. The promise land didn't just happen &amp; victory won't just magically happen either, but it can be taken ahold of by faith! Get active, get strong &amp; get all that God has for you.<br /><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-41233056119957329812017-07-06T20:43:00.002-07:002017-07-06T20:43:50.007-07:00Praise<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh the power of praise!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friends are you going through a hard time? Look up &amp; praise.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you having the best time of your life? Look up &amp; praise!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must fight to always maintain our praise. We must not lose sight of God through the pain &amp; we must not forget Him in the joy.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was inspired by Paul today. Always contented; always praising. He learned to be content in every circumstance. He learned to praise no matter what.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praise might not immediately change the facts about your circumstances, but it changes you &amp; it changes your vision. Praise ignites faith &amp; faith brings "steadfastness." If I'm being honest, I can't stop there...praise CAN change the facts immediately! It did for Paul &amp; Silas! (Acts 16) Be it unto you according to your faith!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emotions will convince you that your problem is big, but praise brings God back into focus. The closer you are to something, the more of your vision is takes up. Stay close to God, keep your eyes, your heart, your emotions on Him &amp; you'll see your life, your family, friends, money, etc correctly.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the Psalms because it deals with real life &amp; it brings God into every situation. No matter who is against you or what is attacking your body, relationships, money, or any thing else - there is a song that you can sing &amp; there is an answer from God.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praise is the moment your attention belongs to God. As you sing...whether it's a popular worship song or a new song out of your heart...it's about Him. You're not thinking about yourself, your problems, or anyone who might be listening. Your words belong to Him. Your heart feels like it could burst out of your chest because every word you sing holds such weight &amp; yet they aren't enough. God is so worthy, so perfect, so deserving, so wonderful that all your words fall short, but love &amp; awe are pouring out of you &amp; you don't want to stop. Sometimes you can't even say a word &amp; all you can do is stretch your arms high towards Him or dance or yell because how does a mere human express enough love &amp; thankfulness &amp; worship to his Creator, his Savior, his Deliverer?!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even as I wrote these words, my focus shifted to Him, to His majesty...I couldn't think about myself when I began to imagine Him, when I began to release my praise, &amp; give Him my words &amp; my adoration. It's like a floodgate. Once it starts, it's hard to stop.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might feel like everything within you doesn't want to start, do it anyways! Trust Him, trust His process. There is freedom waiting on the other side of your obedience. There is freedom on the other side of submitting your flesh to His truth. There is healing, there is breakthrough, there is more.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 16:7-11&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">I bless the</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">who</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14100J" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14100J&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference J&quot;&gt;J&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">gives me counsel;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">in</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14100K" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14100K&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference K&quot;&gt;K&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">the night also my</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14100L" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14100L&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference L&quot;&gt;L&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">heart instructs me.&nbsp;</span></i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14101N" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14101N&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference N&quot;&gt;N&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">set the</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">always before me;</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;">&nbsp;</span><span class="text Ps-16-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">because he is at my&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14101O" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14101O&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference O&quot;&gt;O&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>right hand, I shall not be&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14101P" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14101P&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference P&quot;&gt;P&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>shaken.&nbsp;</span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Therefore my heart is glad, and my</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14102Q" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14102Q&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference Q&quot;&gt;Q&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">whole being</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">rejoices;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">my flesh also dwells secure.&nbsp;</span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">For you will not abandon my soul to</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14103R" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14103R&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference R&quot;&gt;R&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Sheol,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;">&nbsp;</span><span class="text Ps-16-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14103S" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14103S&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference S&quot;&gt;S&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>or let your&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14103T" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14103T&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference T&quot;&gt;T&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>holy one see&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14103U" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14103U&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference U&quot;&gt;U&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>corruption. Yo</span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">u make known to me</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14104V" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14104V&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference V&quot;&gt;V&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">the path of life;</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;">&nbsp;</span><span class="text Ps-16-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in your presence there is&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14104W" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14104W&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference W&quot;&gt;W&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>fullness of joy;</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;">&nbsp;</span><span class="text Ps-16-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">at your right hand are&nbsp;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14104X" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-ESV-14104X&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference X&quot;&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>pleasures forevermore.</span></i>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-83577438313492572222017-04-29T07:17:00.002-07:002017-04-29T07:17:45.031-07:005 things<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfulness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a powerful tool - something that causes an effect whether it's on or off. What does that mean?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your thankfulness is on it's powerful &amp; on the flip side, if your thankfulness is off...well that's powerful too.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfulness increases your heart, it re-aligns your vision, it brings you back into reality &amp; it causes your faith to grow.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it's "off" life tends to take over. You begin to feel like your missing out, you get critical &amp; you stop wanting to help others because you want to help yourself.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So like I said, it's powerful whether it's on or off. &amp; guess what? Just like most other things in life, it's our choice!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bible tells us that a cheerful heart does you good like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) What does medicine do? It heals an ailment. If you have the ailment of stress, being unsatisfied or being critical, the remedy is thankfulness.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many times the trick of the devil is to get our eyes off of what we do have &amp; on what we don't have. When the actual reality is that we are blessed with so much. This isn't even a faith statement, this is an actual tangible fact. No matter what you've gone through, are going through or what you do or don't have there is so much to be thankful for.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do yourself a favor &amp; make a list. Why do you think God wrote the Bible down for us? Because it helps us to see things on black &amp; white (&amp; sometimes red 😉 ). Write down the first 5 things that come to your mind that you are thankful for. Everyone has&nbsp;got 5 things! You do too, even if it doesn't feel like it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's mine:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. God</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. My Husband</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Family</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Church</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Friends</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I started there were so many other things that popped into my brain that I was thankful for - I mean just life itself, being alive, healthy, breathing, walking, talking, seeing...seriously! Or you can go with things like clothes, house, car, furniture, etc! It might seem like a small thing to be grateful for, but it makes a big impact. Just like faith as big as a mustard seed can move mountains, so thankfulness - even for small things - can change your thinking! &amp; isn't that what it's all about, renewing our mind to think like Jesus?!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my friends, what are you thankful for?</span>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-74175972843041376962017-04-08T18:24:00.001-07:002017-04-08T18:24:21.812-07:00lay it downWOW!<br /><br />Well, I've been walloped by the truth &amp; challenged to make some changes. So I thought I'd share my revelation with you!<br /><br />Here's the deal! We need to stop living from our own standard. We don't get to have our own opinions, truths or decisions because we've been saved from all that. Don't get me wrong, we're not robots, but if you take 2 seconds to stop &amp; look at how the world has deteriorated because everyone wants their own way, you won't have a problem giving up your (my) finite opinions/desires. We serve the God of the impossible, from Whom every good &amp; perfect gift comes. He holds the perfect standard &amp; has called us to it &amp; equipped us for it. When you remember this, it's not a scary thing to give up the idea of "making sure you get yours!"<br /><br />What am I talking about? I'm talking about being commanded to forgive someone who's wronged you whether or not they ever try to apologize because releasing those feelings (as real as they are) releases you! I'm talking about giving into the Kingdom of God - your time, your money, your abilities - because God has set up the system of sowing &amp; reaping and He wants to meet your every need according to HIS riches in glory. I'm talking about laying aside your ideals &amp; goals to submit yourself to the Pastor of your church so that the vision God has for your community can be accomplished. God hand-picked your man of God, gave Him the call &amp; put you in that church - so lets remember who's plan this all really is! Fight against the Pastor &amp; I'll give you one guess Who's plan you're really fighting against. I'm talking about loving people &amp; doing something about it. Jesus loved till it hurt. Do we? I'm talking about denying ourselves, taking up our crosses &amp; completing our missions.<br /><br />We all get to have different personalities, we all have different ways of seeing things &amp; then we get to bring it all before God &amp; say "what do You say about this?" We don't get to walk around as an island basing our decisions on what we think. Ask anyone who lives on an island - it's expensive. Living life as an island - as someone who can't be told anything or corrected about anything, as someone who makes it all about you, as someone who thinks they are always right, as someone who refuses to serve, forgive, love, or submit - will cost you &amp; it will be expensive. It's truly a prideful person who never stops to ask God if what they're thinking is right. WOW! What a challenge. I know I'm definitely convicted to make sure that the way I think about my life lines up with what the Bible tells me to do!<br /><br />It's time to stop pursing the American dream &amp; start living the God dream - you know, the one where He says that if you seek Him &amp; His kingdom first all the earthly things you need will be given to you. Oh &amp; the one where He says that He'll give you the desires of your heart .... Wait don't forget the one where He said that He's given us everything pertaining to life &amp; godliness. When did the American dream ever promise us that?<br /><br />So don't be an island, Don't be consumed with yourself &amp; "getting yours." Trust God that as you put Him first, He'll take care of you &amp; cause your life to be more than your could ever dream or think. Being a Christian doesn't mean you have to forgo all the stuff you want to have or experience, it means that you trust your Lord enough to satisfy you. His plan all along was to bless you, so walk by faith, don't forget in the hard times, don't get lazy in the good times &amp; see what God does!<br /><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-77670423692422442982017-01-03T11:47:00.000-08:002017-01-03T11:47:51.698-08:00Happy New Year<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year Everyone!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's so much to look forward to this year! Not because of what's going on in the world &amp; not because of what's going on in your life, but because of what God says about you!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His promises are good, they are true &amp; they are certain. Imagine that! He's not only for us, but He's capable of coming through for us! This crazy world &amp; the people in it might let you down, even the good ones who don't mean to, but GOD NEVER WILL! What a promise!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Start your new year right &amp; learn what God says about you &amp; what is yours. Faith comes by the Word. Your faith can only be activated by what God says. It starts in the Bible! If we don't make time for the Bible we won't be making time for our faith to grow &amp; nobody wants that! We all desire to grow &amp; become better versions of ourselves. God has set up the simplest &amp; most effective way to do that - <b>discipline &amp; sacrifice</b> - but don't forget the immense reward that comes from those two things - being called a child of God &amp; heir to all the promises that are YES &amp; AMEN!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that's good news &amp; makes for a pretty darn Happy New Year!&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you all the very best &amp; looking forward to what God is going to do in 2017.&nbsp;</span></i>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-52029388151963737042016-10-18T13:07:00.000-07:002016-10-18T13:07:09.834-07:00Grace<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This last Saturday was National Pregnancy &amp; Infant Loss Awareness Day. I saw many posts on Instagram &amp; Twitter celebrating the lives of sweet babies that were lost too soon &amp; it was a wonderful reminder that we're all in this together &amp; that our babies will never be forgotten.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>But I gotta tell ya, this week I got something that meant so much more to me. God spoke to me &amp; I've never felt stronger or more liberated. He told me it's time; "stop being a baby about your baby." I can't tell you what those words lit inside of me.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When God speaks His truth into your heart it doesn't just make you feel good, it gives you something to grab hold of. His Word is a lamp to our feet &amp; a light to our path. Instead of crawling through life after being knocked down, His Word causes us to stand up, stiffen our resolve &amp; take that next step of faith.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>His Word is like no other because with it comes the grace we've needed all along to grasp the truth. People can tell you, experience can tell you, pain can tell you, so many things can tell you, but when Jesus speaks to you - grace comes.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Oh, that wonderful grace that makes it all possible. The grace that gives us power to stomp on what tries to hold us down. Don't stop until it comes to you. It doesn't matter how long it takes you, don't stop until you hear His voice full of truth &amp; grace &amp; love.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-50702852483625224142016-09-20T10:48:00.000-07:002016-09-20T10:48:25.848-07:00***untitled***<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Friends,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is&nbsp;something&nbsp;that just sort of poured out of me today &amp; I wanted to share.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wherever my battle may be, whatever ground I must take, I know that my God will keep me. His promise will not fail &amp; He does not forsake. Wounded tho I may be, my Battle-Companion is also the One who heals me. Victory is sure, for it has already been won. I will stand firm as the arrows fly, my faith is my shield &amp; my God is my sure foundation. Having done all to stand, I will stand. Hope is never lost for in the midst of my enemies, at His table I rest. My weakness does not matter, His strength is enough. I rise above the ash &amp; dust. My heart sings a song of life &amp; praise for my God is enough. He is all I need. He is my everything. His love overtakes me, His grace overwhelms, His mercy renews &amp; His goodness draws. My faith is certain for it is in the One who cannot fail.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Praying you have a wonderful day!&nbsp;</span>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-30048317327106143312016-03-25T10:04:00.000-07:002016-03-25T10:04:33.599-07:00doesn't get any better <span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">It just doesn't get any better than Jesus Christ.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The very best of the best of the best. The perfect most wonderful person ever; our wonderful, merciful, just Lord. His love is the most, His healing is the most, everything about Him is the most.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">There isn't a word that can capture His greatness &amp; His perfection. He is perfectly holy &amp; pure, He is the Christ, the Lamb of God who washed away the sins of this world &amp; brought new life to those that would believe.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">What a wonderful Savior, so full of love. The One who paid our debt before we ever knew we owed it. Oh, what a wonderful Lord who made a way for us to be connected. The One who made a way for the dead to become alive, for the lost to be found &amp; the sick to be healed.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Jesus, wonderful Jesus..there's nobody like Him!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">&amp; He loves YOU!&nbsp;</span>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-27388298818298776282016-03-08T13:10:00.002-08:002016-03-08T13:11:21.649-08:00feelings & facts<span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">"The most treacherous thing is to live by feelings." Leonard Ravenhill</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I can't tell you how many people I've told this too in the last week. It se<span style="background-color: white;">ems like feelings are trying to take over everyone lately.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Yes, feelings are real. Yes, feelings are strong. Yes, feelings are part of us, but that doesn't mean that they are always right. It doesn't matter if your whole self is screaming that something is true, it can still be wrong. The facts are our friends, whether our feelings agree with them or not.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Let me tell you some facts:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">God formed you. You weren't just an accident or even a scientific happening. You were specifically formed by a loving Father who put effort into you &amp; has a vision for who you are to be.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Psalm 139:13-16</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You have a God-given purpose. You aren't on this earth to just exist, you are here to carry the Spirit &amp; power of God to those around you. You are the temple of the Most High God, &amp; a vessel that He wants to flow through.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 6:19 &amp; Jeremiah 29:11</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You have power. It's not your own power, but it's the power of the Almighty God that lives in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that heals &amp; delivers, &amp; the same power that tramples on serpents &amp; scorpions.&nbsp;</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Ephesians 3:20-21</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">You have peace. Meditate in His Word &amp; on Him, and you will have peace because He said it was so.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Isaiah 26:3</span></i><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">The pressure of this world does not own you. It's way of thinking does not run you. That is why we must renew our minds to the Word of God. We cannot run with the truth if we do not know what it is, and by "know" I mean believe &amp; have a firm grasp on. The tighter our hold on God &amp; His word, the less grip this world will have on us.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">We are not of this world, we live above it &amp; we shine bright in it. Thank God that He has delivered us from the "cause &amp; effect" laws of this world. There is no "cause" or "effect" that can change the truth of His Word in our lives.&nbsp;</span><br /><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-68728173003136365332016-01-18T14:03:00.000-08:002016-01-18T14:03:32.267-08:00"comfort food"They don't call it "comfort food" for nothing...<br /><br />It's the beginning of the new year &amp; the time when my church does "The Daniel Fast."<br /><br />It's a glorious, somewhat terrifying 21 days of eating only fruits, veggies &amp; whole grains while we purpose to spend more time with God in our daily lives. We're basically setting the tone for the new year &amp; letting our flesh know that it's not the boss.<br /><br />It's always a time that reveals a lot about your character, desires &amp; motivations.<br /><br />This year I couldn't believe how much emotional stock I put in food. Really it should not have come as a surprise looking back, but the cold-turkey dismissal of all things sweet, savory, greasy, yummy &amp; satisfying was a shock to my system. &nbsp;&amp; I came to understand some things.<br /><br />1. Food releases pleasure &amp; can bring a false sense of comfort/healing, as can entertainment, shopping, &amp; the list goes on. The issue isn't the food, it's your heart. If you turn to food every time you're feeling emotional, you'll become an emotional eater &amp; you'll be caught in a cycle. If however you turn to God in those moments, you become healed. That's a major difference!<br /><br />2. Laziness will destroy you. Not only will it cause you to gain weight (both physical &amp; emotional), it will keep you out of your promise land &amp; begin to skew the truth of the Word of God in your eyes. Rather than living an active life of faith, you begin to say things like, "tithing doesn't work," or "healing isn't for today" because you don't see them happening.<br /><br />Somehow in church life I got it into my brain that if I just existed in this Christian life all the good things that God promised would automatically happen for me &amp; none of the bad things in life would ever happen to me. But the Bible says that faith without works is dead - that means I need to do something. It's not about earning God promises, it's about living a life that shows you believe Him. Faith engages God, acknowledges that He is present &amp; then takes the step that He asks of it. Whether that step is sharing your faith, praying for the sick, believing through tragedy, dancing in worship or giving your last $10 in the offering.<br /><br />Don't let life make you lazy! Don't run to anything else for comfort, it doesn't have the power to heal you. Run your race! Run to God, run with faith, it is not as hard as your flesh wants you to believe.<br /><br />You don't just sit at the table &amp; expect the food to get in your stomach! You gotta pick up the fork &amp; chew...it's not hard to do, but it makes all the difference.<br /><br />-Amie<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-15246809390512616372016-01-04T13:52:00.000-08:002016-01-04T13:52:54.987-08:00the greatest resolution<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the greatest resolutions you can make in 2016 is not something you DO, but rather something you THINK.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you THINK determines what &amp; how you DO.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:8. It's so powerful in it's simplicity.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">are</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;honest, whatsoever things&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">are</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;just, whatsoever things&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">are</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;pure, whatsoever things&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">are</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;lovely, whatsoever things&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">are</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;of good report; if&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">there be</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;any virtue, and if&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">there be</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;any praise, think on these things."</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">I don't know about you, but I can have a lot of thoughts run through my brain that are the very opposite of the things in this verse. &amp; that's been especially true this last year &amp; a half.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">But guess what, we have the ability (&amp; the commission) to change the way we think! It's time to renew our minds to the Word. We can't always control the thoughts that run through our minds, but we sure can stack the deck in our favor.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">(Someone's) Mama always said: garbage in, garbage out.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">If you want to start to take control of your thought life, start to take control of what your eyes see &amp; your ears hear. Spend more time in front for the Bible than in front of the TV, internet, games, or even other books.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">I'm not saying you have to cut out all non-Christian material from your life, but how bad do you want it?&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">It's a simple "formula."&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Spend time in the Word. The Word brings faith, and as faith grows so does your thought life. It is an automatic response to the living Word. Don't leave your mind to it's own thoughts, take control of the foundation. Your mind doesn't become renewed simply by catching every bad thought that runs through it, but rather by filling it with truth &amp; giving yourself something to fight with!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">It's not a one-time-flip-a-switch-cure-all, it's a lifestyle &amp; a life-line. God didn't leave you to battle alone. He gave you the tools &amp; the more you use the tools, the more you realize God is bigger than the enemy we face.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px;">Tools can't build anything while they are laying on the ground. So pick them up &amp; start renewing your mind. It'll be the best resolution you ever made.&nbsp;</span></span></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-37175729898041396052015-12-07T08:05:00.000-08:002015-12-07T08:05:03.054-08:00Oh the kindness of our God. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh the kindness of our God.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The faithfulness He has shown is infinite. It was His goodness that brought us to repentance, His love that cleansed us, &amp; it is His mercy that keeps us.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our struggle and our fight, He is rest.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our pain, He is healing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is joy.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is hope.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is every answer to every question &amp; He is ever faithful as we work out our salvation.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the wobbly steps of a new Christian, to the stubborn &amp; prideful thoughts of the aged. He is there to prune. He is there to bring us into the right places, to bring us into strength &amp; humility. He will never stop loving you, &amp; He will never stop growing you.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh the kindness of the One who took our place &amp; Who, regardless of our failures, declares that we are His beloved.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a love that never fails, He loves us.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a salvation that makes us completely new, He has saved us.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh the kindness of our God that never gives up, never lessens, never changes. He is the One who has saved us, He is the One we are trusting with our lives. He is God &amp; we are His,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now let us rest in the kindness of our God.</span>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-7224670115886555882015-11-13T06:20:00.001-08:002015-11-13T06:21:13.205-08:00short, but encouraging<i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Some thoughts...</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>When everything falls apart, your strength will not be enough.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>Lean in to Jesus.</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>For He is your Shield &amp; Buckler, He is round about you.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>He is the One who is strong enough &amp; His strength never fails or wears out.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>He cannot become weary or tired.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>He is your constant, He is your stay.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>Encourage yourself in the Lord, in His promises &amp; in His truth,</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>For the joy of the Lord is your strength, not the joy that's found in life.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b>Life changes, God does not.&nbsp;</b></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i><i><span style="font-family: &quot;georgia&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-37282995722887237062015-10-12T06:46:00.000-07:002015-10-12T06:46:47.653-07:00-behavior-I'm learning more and more that kids are just little humans.<br /><br />Weirdest sentence ever, right?<br /><br />What I mean by that is, they need to be trained. So many of us look at a child that's acting up &amp; automatically sum them up. We anticipate all the trouble they will have as a middle-schooler, teenager, adult...<br /><br />When really they are no different than us, we've just learnt to hide our "issues" better.<br /><br />We all go through different seasons in our lives. We go through rebellion, pain, stretching, happiness, excitement... our seasons are ever-changing and hopefully we are ever learning.<br /><br />As parent's/adults we need to learn that the kids in our lives aren't defined by their behavior, they have time to change, &amp; they will grow if we put in the effort &amp; don't get discouraged. We need to learn to give children room to learn. No one comes out perfect &amp; no one learns good behavior without guidance. A seed doesn't become an oak tree overnight. It takes water &amp; sunlight &amp; sometimes a rod to keep it growing straight, but eventually it's strong enough to grow right &amp; "suddenly" it produces fruit.<br /><br />Don't let your child's behavior create their definition...in your mind or in theirs. Never stop training, loving, encouraging, correcting, &amp; instilling into them what's right.<br /><br />Think about it, your parents had all the same fears &amp; concerns you do (at least to some degree). Everyone wants to raise a good human being....you turned out ok! Trust God &amp; His method.<br /><br />Oh &amp; just a quick note to the adults in the room...that's why we have pastors! They "never stop training, loving, encouraging, correcting, &amp; instilling into US what's right." See... we all get to keep growing.Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-7382745560009695162015-09-29T07:52:00.002-07:002015-09-29T07:53:31.927-07:00Comparison<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comparison was never meant to define you.&nbsp;</i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I believe that looking at someone else's life is a good thing. You can use it as a guide or an encouragement or even an example, but we find out identity &amp; purpose in the Book! God wants to build your specific life according to His plan for you, not through the plan He has for someone else's life.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your road is different than someone else's. It has different hills &amp; valleys, different turns &amp;&nbsp;</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>potholes. Using someone else as a map will only cause you to get off course.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I've used a few different women as examples &amp; as encouragement as I navigate this bump in the road called grief. It's so encouraging to see that others have made it out stronger &amp; more like Jesus than when they started, but I also know that He's the only one that can actually do the work in me. So I keep my eyes on Him &amp; His plan, and just allow other people's lives to be like a billboard advertising encouragement as I go along.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There's a whole lot of driving analogies happening in this blog today, but I think it gets the point across!&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Keep your eyes on Jesus &amp; His Word &amp; what His plan is for you. Don't try to live your life based on someone else's road map.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,&nbsp;</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>thoughts of peace, and not of evil,&nbsp;</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11</b></span></i></span></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-23382962690707617262015-09-10T11:52:00.000-07:002015-09-10T11:52:01.677-07:00happiness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There is a happiness in His presence &amp; no circumstance of life is able to cast a shadow on it.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It wells up inside of you &amp; carries you forward.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The longer you remain in His presence, the deeper the well goes.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's Him &amp; only Him that causes me to grow.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He calls us to prayer &amp; to His word because He knows the result. He understands the process. He has all the answers. He is the answer.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In all that life throws your way, find yourself in His presence &amp; you'll find yourself covered.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Life affects us all, but He is our shield &amp; our buckler. He is our foundation &amp; our source. He is our stay when everyone else fades away.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Being a Christian doesn't make you exempt from bad things in life, but it does make you invincible. You can be hurt &amp; knocked down, but you know your future is secure. You can go through the trials of Job &amp; know that your end will be better than your beginning. You can go through the persecutions of Paul &amp; know that even if they take your life, you have eternal life with the Master.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He chose you for this time in eternity, trust that He knows what He's doing &amp; live in obedience to whatever He says. That is where your happiness is.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High&nbsp;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.&nbsp;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I will say of the&nbsp;</span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">“He is</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">my refuge and my fortress;&nbsp;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">My God, in Him I will trust.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Psalm 91:1-2</span></i></span></div><br /><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-92188461194009971552015-08-25T09:24:00.000-07:002015-08-25T09:24:41.561-07:00Joy is on your horizon<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I know sometimes it feels like it's impossible to walk, but you can put one foot in front of the other.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I have a new revelation of Jesus walking to Golgotha. He was beaten, bruised, bleeding...so much so, that someone else had to carry His cross, but still in all the agony &amp; pain He put one foot in front of the other.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>That's how I know I can make it, because He did.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You might be broken &amp; hurting, but keep walking. Keep moving towards the cross. You'll get there. &amp; then once you get there, lay everything down at that cross &amp; let God consume it, and watch and see the new, abundant life that He brings you.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>It seems like such a contradiction to bring your pain to the cross, but if we do not lay it down how could we ever bear it? It is not ours to bear, for He already did. He took the pain we could not heal &amp; healed it. He took the hurt we could not bear &amp; bore it. He did it all.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>No one ever told me that I'd want to hold onto my grief. Somehow in my twisted human emotions it made me feel close to my daughter, but Jesus took that grief &amp; turned it into joy. That's His promise. I'm not losing memories of my little girl, I'm gaining healing &amp; the ability to remember her without sorrow in my heart. I'll always ache for her, but that aching is not painful because I know I'll see her again.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The sorrow you are facing is not your destination. Joy is on your horizon, keep putting one foot in front of the other &amp; let the cross do it's work. He will not fail you.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-46774176252420114252015-08-07T07:20:00.000-07:002015-08-07T07:20:55.121-07:00The argument fizzles...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A little nugget I've discovered...</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The argument fizzles when I stop trying to defend myself. This works whether I'm right or wrong in the situation.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's the moment when I reel in my emotions &amp; understand that I love this person more than how I'm treating them right now &amp; there is a better, more productive way to have this discussion.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When did proving my point become more important than loving this person?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Discussions can be had without arguing, but arguing never produces real discussions. It can only produce hurt &amp; confusion because arguments are all based in pride. The pride of being right or defending your own actions.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pride is sneaky &amp; insidious. It sneaks into your life disguised as hurt feelings or justification. It wants to keep the argument alive until the other person either apologizes or concedes. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Bible on the other hand tells us that pride brings destruction &amp; that God resists it. It also tells us to be offended at nothing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's the goal we move towards. Letting him love us, so that we can love others.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It doesn't mean we'll never have a spirited discussion, but if we can learn to discuss out of love then not only will our topic most likely get resolved, but our relationships will flourish.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People are worth our patience &amp; our relationships are worth our self-control.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Cor 13:4&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">L</span>ove is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">James 4:6</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”</span></div></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-4014224900368462712015-08-03T07:04:00.001-07:002015-08-03T07:04:58.834-07:00That's my hope.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His grace is sufficient for you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That means that no matter what you have to face, the ability HE GIVES YOU is enough to win over it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether or not the outcome is what you preferred, you have the ability to outlast &amp; not just maintain, but overcome.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul said that he gloried in his tribulation. I'm not there yet, but I have hope that as my relationship develops with the Lord, I too will gain the kind of revelation Paul had.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's the promise of it all. As I decrease, He increases &amp; God's way of thinking &amp; seeing is so much better than I could ever fathom.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus didn't just die on the cross. He made an impact before, during &amp; after the crucifixion. Regardless of your tragedy, if Christ is in you, you have the power to make an impact before, during &amp; after it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's my hope. That is His faithfulness.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know the pain will continue to heal &amp; I know God's grace will continue to be sufficient.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Many are the afflictions of the righteous,</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; margin-left: 35px; text-align: justify;">but the&nbsp;<span class="divine-name" style="text-transform: uppercase;">LORD</span>&nbsp;delivers him out of them all.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Psalm 34:19</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-60959704462322536622015-07-07T08:21:00.000-07:002015-07-07T08:21:19.005-07:00It was a Wednesday.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time last year, I didn't know it, but it was going to be the worst time of my life.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abigail was getting ready to go to Heaven. We spent all night loving her, being with her &amp; in the early morning she went to be with Jesus.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went back to the Ronald McDonald House &amp; slept for a few hours, packed up our stuff &amp; headed home.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember that long drive home. It was a Wednesday.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember it was a Wednesday because as we got closer to home we both looked at each other &amp; said, "I kind of want to be in church."&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We parked around the back of the building, went through&nbsp;a side door &amp; sat in the back office on a couch &amp; just listened to the message being preached. There was a lot happening in that dark, quiet back office. We didn't hear all of the message, we didn't participate in praise &amp; worship, we had no offering to bring, but we just needed to be in church.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think we knew it at the time, but I truly believe that was the foundation of our healing. It was as if we slammed a stake in the ground &amp; said, "We're going to keep doing what we know to do."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't always a pretty road to walk. We didn't always feel like continuing to do what was right &amp; sometimes we just didn't. But we never stayed there long, we knew the only way out was by doing what was right.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't imagine my life without my church. Not only is my church family the very best of the best, but the truth &amp; the standard &amp; the hope that I have gained from immersing myself in church life has kept me.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We weren't meant to do life alone. We weren't meant to go through the hard stuff alone. We weren't meant to celebrate alone. God wants to bring us into a family. There is strength in numbers. Don't run away from the one place that tells you the truth &amp; helps your faith. Even if the words feel like they sting, don't remove yourself from the House. Faith comes by hearing &amp; hearing by the Word of God. Stay where the Word is preached, stay where your faith can grow, &amp; you'll see your healing come.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 133:1-3</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Song of Ascents. Of David.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behold,&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard,&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on the beard of Aaron,&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">running down on the collar of his robes!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is like the dew of Hermon,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which falls on the mountains of Zion!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">For there the&nbsp;</span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.</span></span></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-23463616175165762962015-06-24T08:15:00.000-07:002015-06-24T08:25:59.663-07:00< forgiveness ><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Here's a fun lesson,</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Being wronged in life entitles you to nothing, rather it demands that you grow.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's a hard one to swallow, I know. BUT...</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If you grow &amp; forgive &amp; move on, YOU become stronger. If you hold on to the wrong, IT will hold on to you &amp; IT will become stronger.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Think about Jesus as He hung there on the cross. After all the miracles He had done, all the people He had helped &amp; all the love He had shown...they crucified Him....they tortured Him. Some of His final words were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Not too long after those words were spoken, the suffering ended &amp; He rose again to new life.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today, no matter what wrong has been perpetrated against you, you have the choice to forgive &amp; become stronger through it. Don't let someone else's actions keep you from rising up out of the ashes into resurrected life! Power comes from laying it all down &amp; trusting that God knows what He's doing.&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To forgive doesn't mean to subject yourself, rather it means to free yourself.&nbsp;Sometimes&nbsp;that freedom looks like a restored relationship &amp; other times it's a severed one. Either way, when you forgive you no longer allow a circumstance to dominate you. We're called to be servants of God, not our situations. Simply obey, He will never lead you astray.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,&nbsp;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hallowed be thy name.&nbsp;Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth,&nbsp;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as&nbsp;it is&nbsp;in heaven.&nbsp;</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give us this day our daily bread.&nbsp;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.&nbsp;</b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:&nbsp;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.&nbsp;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew 6:9-13</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></div>Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2226764638378601778.post-87718994472554779092015-06-17T11:54:00.000-07:002015-06-17T11:54:40.499-07:00well-oiled<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thinking about "the anointing" today!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems like such an epic word...&amp; it is, but it's also very simple. Maybe it's the simplicity of it all that makes it epic!?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The word anointing in the Bible has to do with oil &amp; lots of it! God's plan is for us to live our lives like well-oiled machines!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without oil you're machine might run for a little bit, but eventually it'll seize up. Oil is designed to smooth out the friction &amp; keep the parts moving. Oil keeps your machine from over heating &amp; helps clean out impurities.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You were made to run &amp; run well. Running well depends entirely on your oil supply. Life will try to drain you of your oil. The devil wants you to try make things work by your own strength, except we weren't built like that. We were built to rely on the oil.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's His anointing that destroys yokes &amp; breaks off bondage's in our lives. It's His anointing that sets us apart &amp; enables us to accomplish what He has designed for us to accomplish. No calling was ever meant to be fulfilled without His anointing, &amp; in fact it cannot be.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What does it mean to have the anointing? It's really the simplest of all things. It means that you have God with you. It's not some super-special-secret-code, rather it's a super-special-cultivated-relationship between you &amp; the Father...something that everyone can have.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Acts 10:30</span><br /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, <u><b>for God was with him</b></u>."</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus had a specific mission that He accomplished because God was with Him. Why would we try to do it any other way? His life is that perfect example of how to make through both the good &amp; the bad. Stay close to the Father.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's easier to keep an engine running on a regular basis than try to start one up that's been sitting around for years or fix one that's seized up. Do yourself a favor &amp; stay oily!&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Ups &amp; downs will come &amp; go, but the oil will keep you running smoothly.&nbsp;</span><br /><br />Amiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00992542137965373721noreply@blogger.com0